// NOTABLE SIGNERS OF THIS PETITION (in chronological order of signing): Phil Ting (Candidate for Mayor of San Francisco), Sen. Leland Yee (Candidate for Mayor of San Francisco), Joanna Rees (Candidate for Mayor of San Francisco), David Chiu (President, Board of Supervisors, and Candidate for Mayor of San Francisco), Scott Wiener (San Francisco Board of Supervisors) //

In the aftermath of Kobe Bryant and and Roger McDowell's homophobic slurs, legitimizing and encouraging millions of kids to harass gay and gay-perceived youth, it's time for a sports team to take a stand on behalf of equality. With American attitudes toward LGBT people evolving rapidly, and polls now showing a majority of Americans support same-sex marriage, the San Francisco Giants could be the team that proactively and profoundly connects to the LGBT community, making a game-changing stand for acceptance and equality.

Professional sports is one of the few remaining pockets of strong homophobia in our country. Kobe Bryant's homophobic slur against a referee, captured on national television, is the tip of a very large iceberg. That's why the time is ripe for a sports team to make a game-changing stand for acceptance and equality and why I am calling on the San Francisco Giants and their players to produce a video for the It Gets Better Project.

Born in September 2010 when a string of LGBT teen suicides made national news, the It Gets Better project has provided the LGBT and straight ally community a means through YouTube to connect to LGBT youth considering suicide. The project has since taken off with the participation of ordinary people alongside celebrities, organizations and politicians, including President Obama, culminating in over 10,000 videos telling our youth that "it gets better." Yet no professional sports team or active professional sports team players from the MLB, NBA or NFL have contributed to this project.

The San Francisco Giants are in an extraordinary position to lead the rest of the professional sporting world and possibly make the most impactful It Gets Better video yet, not just as the recent World Series champs but also as ambassadors of an iconic city revered for celebrating diversity and differences with open arms. Should the team make a video to tell our LGBT youth that it does get better, the Giants may catalyze a watershed moment in professional sports.

Please join me and urge the San Francisco Giants organization and their players to join the It Gets Better Project and help give hope to kids across America.

Senior Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations, San Francisco GiantsShana Daum

President, San Francisco GiantsLarry Baer

Senior VP of Communications, SF GiantsStaci Slaughter

and 2 others

Executive Director, SF Giants Community FundSue Petersen

General Manager, SF GiantsBrian Sabean

In the aftermath of Kobe Bryant and and Roger McDowell's homophobic slurs, legitimizing and encouraging millions of kids to harass gay and gay-perceived youth, it's time for a sports team to take a stand on behalf of equality. With American attitudes toward LGBT people evolving rapidly, and polls now showing a majority of Americans support same-sex marriage, the San Francisco Giant could be the team that proactively and profoundly connects to the LGBT community, making a game-changing stand for acceptance and equality.

That is why I am calling on you and your players to produce a video for the "It Gets Better" Project. Born in September 2010 when a string of LGBT teen suicides made national news, the It Gets Better project has provided the LGBT and straight ally community a means through YouTube to connect to LGBT youth considering suicide.

The project has since taken off with the participation of ordinary people alongside celebrities, organizations and politicians, including President Obama, culminating in over 10,000 videos telling our youth that "it gets better." Yet no professional sports team or active professional sports team players from the MLB, NBA or NFL have contributed to this project.

The San Francisco Giants are in an extraordinary position to lead the rest of the professional sporting world and possibly make one of the most impactful It Gets Better video yet, not just as the recent World Champions of Major League Baseball but also as ambassadors of an iconic city revered for celebrating diversity and differences with open arms. Should the team make a video to tell our LGBT youth that it does get better, the Giants may catalyze a historic and watershed moment in professional sports and forever be revered as true giants of humanity.

I urge the Giants to join the It Gets Better Project and help give hope to kids across America.